Just hours before first inspection ….

I was just reminiscing about an IP we bought several years ago. It was a deceased estate, very “original”. We spent a few weeks ripping up carpets, painting tinted estapol on the floorboards to mimmick “japanning” until we could afford a professional floor polish, painting the insides, etc etc.

It was Friday evening and we were ready to rent it. We had our first rent ad in the paper for the next morning.

Previous owner had, many years before, installed a “floating” ceiling, like an office with fluro lights and styrofoam panels. It was neat but out of character but we left if because we needed to get some money flowing. The neighbour said the original paint was peeling, and rather than paint it, the old chap had this office ceiling installed.

About 5.30pm I called in to make the final touches and check on hubby only to find he’d had a rush of blood and had decided to pull out the floating ceiling. Metal supports, foam panelling, fluro lights and peeling paint all over the clean house. AAARGHHHH!!

Under the false ceiling were the original VJ walls up to a fancy plaster ceiling, peeling so badly, it was scary. We spent the evening scraping back to firm plaster so we could put two coats on the ceiling and paint the top section of the walls (above the picture rail).

I couldn’t repeat the words I was muttering under my breath as we raced against time to get this thing done.

On our most recent purchase, I had just spent two hours painting the front room when hubby walked in and said “I think this room would look MUCH better with those masonite panels and cover strips gone and VJ cladding instead.” Of course he was right, but I had just painted the walls. I considered inserting the roller but contained myself.

I wonder if anyone else has a gung-ho partner who likes to live on the edge. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Makes life interesting, Wylie.